Hi all,

I'm going to Japan on vacation soon and would like to try and minimize the damage as much as possible while I'm there.

I know I won't be able to eat completely LC (don't want to insult anyone), but when I have the choice, I'd like to try for lower-carb options.

Could any of you who have spent time in Japan please list LC foods & beverages I should look out for?

I already know about sashimi, but anything else you can come up with would be really appreciated!



Thank you!!!

Ophelia

-Hi there!
I've spent a lot of time in Japan and here are a few tips. I don't know the exact carb counts but it's all relatively low-carb...

-Usually when you go to a restaurant and order the "set lunch" deal it comes with miso soup, grilled fish, vegetables, and rice. You can eat everything but the rice.
-At an izakaya (a Japanese-type bar) you can order yakitori (chicken skewers, beef skewers, veggie skewers, etc. meat heaven!! They also usually have good salads.
-sashimi, of course
-yakiniku (meat barbecue- absolutely delicious)

One thing- Japanese cook with sugar very often. It is in the sneakiest things. Don't even bother trying to figure out what has it. You will consume sugar without wanting to/trying to but it shouldn't do that much damage.

Things to avoid:
-All noodles, for example:
-udon
-soba
-ramen

-rice
-sushi
-tempura (it's breaded)

I can't think of anything else. Have a great time! Japan is amazing.

Actually, egg batter breadings are not very high carb. Tempura would not be a horrible choice. If the breading is NOT egg-batter, avoid it.

Thank you both very much!!!!

I can't wait to get there. I hear I'll be just in time for the cherry blossoms.

Dewa mata!

Ophelia

Beware of some miso, it can be fairly high carb. The clearer the broth the better.

Japanese cooking involves lots of fish and fresh vegetables, so that should work out well for you. If you're in a hotel, order the Japanese-style breakfast one morning - just don't eat the rice. And be advised, if you get an egg in the shell with your breakfast it's probably not hard-boiled.

If you are going out with friends, try an izakaya (pub) like a Tengu. You can order a la carte and not get stuck with a set meal. Sometimes the LC legal portions are small and rice makes up for it - if you don't eat the rice you don't get much. It's getting a little late in the season, but try a shabu-shabu place - it's strips of meat dipped in hot broth.

You can always order a spinach salad - it comes with crumbled bacon and a dressing that is amazingly good. And there are a lot of tofu dishes that will be ok for you. There are even some restaurants that serve nothing but different tofu dishes. If you go to a Chinese restaurant, try the mabu-dofu. It's beef and tofu in a black sauce.

If you can't stand the thought of another cup of green tea, try some mugi-cha (barley tea).

And last, but not least, look for Lotte brand No-sugar chocolates. They are excellent (a little hard to find - best bet is 7-11)

Good luck! The weather is starting to turn nicer here, and the plum blossoms are already in bloom. Cherry blossoms are in the near future!